RIYADH, Saudi Arabia
(AP) - The Saudi religious police launched Thursday a nationwide crackdown on
stores selling items that are red or in any other way allude to the banned
celebrations of Valentine's Day, a Saudi official said.

Members of the
feared religious police were inspecting shops for red roses, heart-shaped
products or gifts wrapped in red, and ordering storeowners to get rid of them,
the official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not
authorized to speak to reporters.

Red-colored or heart-shaped items are
legal at other times of the year, but as Feb. 14 nears they become contraband in
Saudi Arabia. The kingdom bans celebration of Western holidays such as
Valentine's Day, named after a Christian saint said to have been martyred by the
Romans in the 3rd Century.

Most shops in Riyadh's upscale neighborhoods
have removed all red items from their shelves. A statement by the religious
police, informally known as the muttawa, was published in Saudi newspapers,
warning shop owners against any violations.

"Those who don't comply will
be punished," the statement said, without spelling out what measures would
befall the offenders.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia
(AP) - The Saudi religious police launched Thursday a nationwide crackdown on
stores selling items that are red or in any other way allude to the banned
celebrations of Valentine's Day, a Saudi official said.

Members of the
feared religious police were inspecting shops for red roses, heart-shaped
products or gifts wrapped in red, and ordering storeowners to get rid of them,
the official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not
authorized to speak to reporters.

Red-colored or heart-shaped items are
legal at other times of the year, but as Feb. 14 nears they become contraband in
Saudi Arabia. The kingdom bans celebration of Western holidays such as
Valentine's Day, named after a Christian saint said to have been martyred by the
Romans in the 3rd Century.

Most shops in Riyadh's upscale neighborhoods
have removed all red items from their shelves. A statement by the religious
police, informally known as the muttawa, was published in Saudi newspapers,
warning shop owners against any violations.

"Those who don't comply will
be punished," the statement said, without spelling out what measures would
befall the offenders.